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(11) | EP 1 825 798 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Vacuum cleaner and dust separator of the same |
| (57) Provided are a vacuum cleaner and a dust separator of the vacuum cleaner. The dust
separator includes a dust container (210,410,620) in which a dust storage (214,216;414,416;624,626)
is formed. A dust separating unit (230,430,610) is contained in the dust container
(210,410,620). A cover (250,450,630) is coupled to the dust separating unit (230,430,610)
and is used to selectively open or close the dust storage (214,216;414,416;624,626).
The cover (250,450,630) is detached from the dust container (210,410,620) together
with the dust separating unit (230,430,610) when the dust container (210,410,620)
is emptied.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and a dust separator of the vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a dust separator having an improved structure for easily discharging collected dust and a vacuum cleaner including the dust separator.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Generally, a vacuum cleaner uses negative pressure generated by a suction motor installed inside the main body of the vacuum cleaner to first suction air containing dust and then filter the dust from the air within the main body.
[0003] Vacuum cleaners can be largely divided into canister type vacuum cleaners that have a suctioning nozzle provided separately from the main body, and upright vacuum cleaners in which a nozzle is integrated with a main body.
[0004] Vacuum cleaners according to the related art include a main body and a dust collector that collects dust separated from air that flows into the main body.
[0005] The dust collector is detachably installed to the main body so that dust stored in the dust collector can be easily removed after detaching the dust collector from the main body.
[0006] However, when emptying the dust collector according to the related art, the indoor space that has been vacuumed is prone to be re-contaminated during the process of separating the dust collector from the main body of the vacuum cleaner or when dust is discharged from the dust collector.
[0007] When the indoor space is thus re-contaminated while a user empties the dust collector, the user must clean the contaminated area again using the vacuum cleaner or other cleaning tools.
[0008] Accordingly, development of a dust collector that prevents re-contamination of a vacuumed inner space and which facilitates emptying of dust when a user empties dust stored inside the dust collector is required.
SUMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vacuum cleaner and a dust separator of the vacuum cleaner that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner and a dust separator of the vacuum cleaner that allow a user to easily empty dust stored inside the dust collector, providing increased convenience for the user.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner and a dust separator of the vacuum cleaner that allow dust stored in the dust collector to be easily emptied, preventing re-contamination of an indoor space during the emptying of the dust.
[0012] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0013] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a dust separator as defined in claim 1 and a vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 14. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and set out below.
[0014] The dust separator specifically including: a dust container in which a dust storage is formed; a dust separating unit contained in the dust container; and a cover coupled to the dust separating unit and used to selectively open or close the dust storage, wherein the cover is detached from the dust container together with the dust separating unit when the dust container is emptied.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including: a dust container in which a plurality of dust storages is formed; a first dust separating unit disposed within one of the dust storages; a cover coupled to the first dust separating unit and used to selectively open or close the dust storages; and a main body to which the dust container is detachably coupled.
[0016] In a further another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vacuum cleaner including: a dust container in which a dust storage is formed; a first dust separating unit disposed in the dust container and partitioning the dust storage into a plurality of dust storages; a cover coupled to the first dust separating unit and used to selectively open or close the dust storages; and a main body to which the dust container is detachably coupled.
[0017] According to the present invention, a dust collector for collecting dust is separated from the main body of the vacuum cleaner in a sealed state. Thus, a user can completely open the upper portion of the dust container by opening an upper cover at a desired location, thereby preventing re-contamination of a vacuumed indoor space and increasing convenience for the user.
[0018] Also, a first cyclone unit is provided within the dust container, and a second cyclone is installed in the main body of the vacuum cleaner, so that when collected dust is emptied from the dust container, only the dust container can be removed from the main body, decreasing the weight of the collecting container and providing convenience in use.
[0019] Additionally, by simultaneously opening and closing first and second storages with the upper cover provided at the upper portion of the container, emptying of dust becomes easier.
[0020] Furthermore, because the first and second dust storages are partitioned by an outer wall of the first cyclone that can be separated together with the upper cover, when cleaning the inside of the dust container, interference from its internal structure can be prevented, thereby facilitating the cleaning of the collecting container.
[0021] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector detached from the vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner and the dust collector installed to the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a dust collector according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a dust collector according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the dust collector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector detached from the vacuum cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vacuum cleaner and the dust collector installed to the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the dust collector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the vacuum cleaner according to the current embodiment includes a main body 100 and a dust separator. The main body 100 includes a driving unit 110 for a generating suction force, and the dust separator separates and collects dust from air sucked into the vacuum cleaner.
[0026] The vacuum cleaner further includes a suction nozzle (not shown) for sucking air into the vacuum cleaner and a connection tube (not shown) for connecting the suction nozzle to the main body 100.
[0027] The suction nozzle and the connection tube have the same structures as those of a related-art vacuum cleaner. Thus, descriptions of the suction nozzle and connection tube will be omitted.
[0028] In detail, the main body 100 further includes a suction port 120 and a discharge port 190. The suction port 120 is formed in a front lower portion of the main body 100 and connected to the suction nozzle. The discharge port 190 is formed in a side portion of the main body 100 for discharging air after dust is separate from the air by the dust collector 200.
[0029] The driving unit 110 includes a suction motor for generating a suction force to draw outside air into the vacuum cleaner through the nozzle.
[0030] The dust separator includes a first separating unit such as a first cyclone unit 230, and a second separating unit such as a second cyclone unit 300. The first cyclone unit 230 is included in the dust collector 200, and the second cyclone unit 300 is included in the main body 100. The first cyclone unit 230 separates dust from air introduced in the vacuum cleaner, and then the second cyclone unit further separates dust from the air.
[0031] In detail, the second cyclone unit 300 communicates with the dust collector 200 when the dust collector 200 is installed to the main body 100.
[0032] The dust collector 200 includes the first cyclone unit 230 for separating duct from sucked air and a dust container 210 detachably coupled to the first cyclone unit 230.
[0033] Preferably, the first cyclone unit 230 is detachably disposed in the dust container 210 and has a cylindrical outer wall. The first cyclone unit 230 first separates dust from air before the air is introduced into the second cyclone unit 300.
[0034] Meanwhile, the dust container 210 includes a first air-suction port 221 at an upper side portion. Air is introduced into the first cyclone unit 230 through the first air-suction port 221 of the dust container 210 and is swirled along inner wall of the first cyclone unit 230. For this, the first cyclone unit 230 includes a suction hole (not shown) corresponding to the first air-suction port 221 of the dust container 210.
[0035] The dust container 210 stores dust separated from air by the first and second cyclone units 230 and 300.
[0036] In detail, the dust container 210 includes a first dust storage 214 for storing duct separated by the first cyclone unit 230 and a second dust storage 216 for storing dust separated by the second cyclone unit 300.
[0037] The second dust storage 216 communicates with the second cyclone unit 300 when the dust collector 200 is installed to the main body 100. Dust separated from air by the second cyclone unit 300 is sent to the second dust storage 216 through a dust introduction hole 217 of the second dust storage 216.
[0038] Here, the second dust storage 216 can be formed separate from the dust container 210 instead of being formed in the dust container 210.
[0039] However, in the current embodiment, the second dust storage 216 and the first dust storage 214 are formed inside the dust container 210, for example.
[0040] The dust container 210 includes a first wall 211 forming the first dust storage 214 and a second wall 212 forming the second dust storage 216 together with the first wall 211.
[0041] That is, the second wall 212 covers a predetermined portion of the first wall 211. Thus, the second dust storage 216 is formed at an outside portion of the first dust storage 214.
[0042] Since the second dust storage 216 is formed outside the first dust storage 214, the first dust storage 214 can have a large size for receiving a large amount of dust.
[0043] Meanwhile, the top of the dust container 210 is opened such that dust can be removed from the dust container 210 by turning the dust container 210 upside down. An upper cover 250 is detachably coupled to the opened top of the dust container 210.
[0044] Furthermore, the upper cover 250 is coupled to an upper portion of the first cyclone unit 230, such that the cupper cover 250 and the first cyclone unit 230 can be detached from the dust container 210 when dust is removed from the dust container 210.
[0045] A hollow filter member 260 is coupled to the upper cover 250. The filter member 260 is formed with a plurality of penetration holes 262 having a predetermined size. The upper cover 250 includes a first air discharge hole 252 for discharging air after the air passes through the filter member 260.
[0046] Therefore, after dust is separated from air in the first cyclone unit 230, the air is discharge from the dust collector 200 through filter member 260 and the first air discharge hole 252.
[0048] Therefore, when the upper cover 250 coupled to the first cyclone unit 230 is detached from the dust collector 210, the top of the dust collector 210 is entirely opened. After that, dust collect in the first and second dust storages 214 and 215 can be easily discharged by turning the dust collector 210 upside down.
[0049] That is, when the upper cover 250 is detached from the dust collector 210, the top portions of the first and second dust storages 214 and 216 are both opened. Thus, dust can be easily discharged from the first and second dust storages 214 and 216 by turning the dust collector 210 upside down.
[0050] Here, the upper cover 250 can be detached from the dust container 210 to remove dust from the dust container 210 after carrying the dust container 210 to an outside area or a trash bin in order to prevent an indoor area from being contaminated by the dust removed from the dust container 210.
[0051] Preferably, an anti-scattering member 240 can be formed at a lower portion of the first cyclone unit 230 in order to prevent dust collected in the first dust storage 214 from scattering toward the first cyclone unit 230 by swirling movement of air.
[0052] In the current embodiment, the anti-scattering member 240 may be a bottom wall of the first cyclone unit 230 or a separate part attached to the first cyclone unit 230.
[0053] The anti-scattering member 240 includes an opening 242 through which dust separated from air in the first cyclone unit 230 is discharged to the first dust storage 214.
[0054] That is, dust separated from air in the first cyclone unit 230 is moved down to the first dust storage 214 through the opening 242 formed at an edge of the anti-scattering member 240. Preferably, one or more openings 242 may be formed along a circular path in the edge of the anti-scattering member 240.
[0055] Preferably, a handle 270 can be formed on an outer surface of the dust container 210. In this case, the dust container 210 can be easily attached/detached to/from the main body 100 using the handle 270. Furthermore, the dust container 210 can be easily carried using the handle 270.
[0056] Meanwhile, the second cyclone unit 300 is formed at the main body 100. The second cyclone unit 300 separates dust from air once more after the first cyclone unit 230 has separated dust from the air.
[0057] In detail, the main body 100 includes a dust container mount 140 for receiving the dust container 210. The second cyclone unit 300 is formed above the dust container mount 140.
[0058] Preferably, the second cyclone unit 300 may be disposed in the main body 100 in a laid-down position.
[0059] As explained above, since the second cyclone unit 300 is disposed in the main body 100 in a laid-down position, interference with other components such as the driving unit 110 can be prevented. Therefore, efficiency in the utilization of space and components can be increased, and thus the size of the vacuum cleaner can be reduced.
[0060] In the current embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second cyclone unit 300 is laid down in a direction approximately perpendicular to the center axis of the circular first cyclone unit 230, and the driving unit 110 is disposed under the second cyclone unit 300.
[0061] The second cyclone unit 300 can have various shapes. Preferably, the second cyclone unit 300 may have a shape suitable for separating dust from air by a centrifugal force. In the current embodiment, each cyclone part of the second cyclone unit 300 is cone-shaped.
[0062] Meanwhile, a communication duct 170 is disposed between the first and second cyclone units 230 and 300 for connecting the first and second cyclone units 230 and 300.
[0063] In detail, one end of the communication duct 170 is connected to the upper cover 250, the other end of the communication duct 170 is a second air-suction port (not shown) of the second cyclone unit 300.
[0064] When the dust collector 200 is mounted on the dust container mount 140, a dust discharge hole 302 formed at an end of the second cyclone unit 300 is connected to the dust instruction hole 217 of the second dust storage 216.
[0065] As explained above, the second cyclone unit 300 is included in the main body 100, and dust separated by the second cyclone unit 300 is stored in the second dust storage 216 formed in the dust collector 200.
[0066] In other words, since the second cyclone unit 300 is not formed at the dust collector 200, the dust collector 200 can be simple and light. Thus, the dust collector 200 can be easily detached from the main body 100 for removing collected dust.
[0067] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the amount of dust collected in the first dust storage 214 can be viewed from the outside.
[0068] For this purpose, the first dust storage 214 may include a transparent outer wall that is directly exposed to the outside. Therefore, it can be easily determined when to empty the dust collector 200 since the inside of the first dust storage 214 where most of collected dust is stored can be viewed.
[0070] When the driving unit 110 is powered on, the driving unit 110 generates a suction force for drawing outside air containing dust into the vacuum cleaner through the suction nozzle.
[0071] The outside air sucked through the suction nozzle is introduced to the first air-suction port 221 of the dust collector 200 through the suction port 120 of the main body 100.
[0072] Then, the air is guided from the first air suction port 221 into the first cyclone unit 230 along a tangential direction of the inner wall of the first cyclone unit 230 so as to be swirled in the first cyclone unit 230. Therefore, dust contained in the air is separated from the air by a centrifugal force and is moved down by gravity to the first dust storage 214. The dust collected in the first dust storage 214 is not scattered back to the first cyclone unit 230 owing to the anti-scattering member 240.
[0073] After dust is first separated from the air by the first cyclone unit 230, the air is moved upward through the filter member 260 and the first air discharge hole 252. Then, the air flows to the second cyclone unit 300 along the communication duct 170 connected to the first air discharge hole 252.
[0074] Then, the air is guided by the second air suction port (not shown) connected to an end of the communication duct 170 into each cyclone part of the second cyclone unit 300 in a tangential direction of the inner wall of the cyclone part. In the second cyclone unit 300, dust is second separated from the air by a centrifugal force and sent to the second dust storage 216 connected to an end of the second cyclone unit 300.
[0075] Thereafter, the air is guided from the second cyclone unit 300 back to the main body 100 in which fine dust is finally separated from the air by a filter (not shown). After passing through the filter, the air passes through the driving unit 110 and is discharged from the main body 100 through the discharge port 190.
[0076] After a predetermined amount of dust is collected in the dust collector 200, the dust collector 200 is detached from the main body 100. Then, the upper cover 250 where the first cyclone unit 230 is coupled is detached from the dust container 210 of the dust collector 200. After that, the dust container 210 can be easily emptied by turning the dust container 210 upside down.
[0077] FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a dust collector 400 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 4, the dust collector 400 of the current embodiment includes a first cyclone unit 430 for separating dust from sucked air, an upper cover 450 coupled to an upper portion of the first cyclone unit 430, and a dust container 410 to which the upper cover 450 is detachably coupled.
[0079] In detail, the dust container 410 includes a first wall 411 and a second wall 412. The first wall 411 forms a lower portion of the dust container 410 and has a cylindrical shape. The second wall 412 extends upward from the first wall 411 and forms a space larger than that formed by the first wall 411.
[0080] That is, the first and second walls 411 and 412 have different size. Thus, a vent portion 413 is formed between the first and second walls 411 and 412. The first cyclone unit 430 is stably disposed on the bent portion 413.
[0081] When the first cyclone unit 430 is accommodated in the dust container 410 and disposed on the bent portion 413, an inside space of the dust container 410 is divided into first and second dust storages 414 and 416 by the first cyclone unit 430.
[0082] That is, a separate wall is not formed to divide the inside space of the dust container 410 into the first and second dust storages 414 and 416 in the current embodiment. Instead, the inside space of the dust container 410 is divided into the first and second dust storages 414 and 416 by an outer wall of the first cyclone unit 430.
[0083] Therefore, when the upper cover 450 to which the 430 is coupled is detached from the dust container 410 to discharge dust collected in the first and second dust storages 414 and 416, the first and second dust storages 414 and 416 communicate with each other.
[0084] That is, since an additional compartment wall is not formed in the dust container 410, dust collected in the dust container 410 can be removed more easily. Furthermore, the dust container 410 can be cleaned more easily.
[0085] Preferably, the dust container 410 can includes a sealing member 440 for sealing between the first and second dust storages 414 and 416.
[0086] In detail, the sealing member 440 can be formed at the bent portion 413 or the first cyclone unit 430.
[0087] Preferably, the bent portion 413 may be rounded with a predetermined curvature. In this case, when the upper cover 450 is detached from the dust container 410, dust collected in the second dust storage 416 can easily slide down to the first dust storage 414 along the bent portion 413.
Therefore, dust can be easily removed from the dust container 410 by turning the dust container 410 upside down.
[0088] Furthermore, since the opened top of the dust container 410 is larger than the first dust storage 414, dust can be removed from the dust container 410 more easily.
[0089] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a dust collector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the dust collector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] Referring to FIGs. 5 to 7, the vacuum cleaner of the current embodiment includes a main body 500 a dust collector 600 installed to the main body 500.
[0091] In detail, the main body 500 includes a suction port 510 and a discharge port (not shown). The suction port 510 is formed in a front lower portion of the main body 500 and connected to a suction nozzle (not shown), and the discharge port is formed in a side portion of the main body 500 to discharge air from the vacuum cleaner after dust is separated from the air.
[0092] The main body 500 further includes a second dust separating unit such as a second cyclone unit 700 at an upper portion. When the dust collector 600 is installed to the main body 500, the second cyclone unit 700 communicates with the dust collector 600.
[0093] Other parts of the main body 500 have substantially the same structures as those of the main body 100. Thus, descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0094] The dust collector 600 is detachably coupled to a front portion of the main body 500. A separating unit 520 is formed at a front upper portion of the main body 500 for being used when the dust collector 600 is detached from the main body 500.
[0095] In addition, a handle 530 is formed on an upper portion of the main body 500 such that the main body 500 can be easily carried using the handle 530.
[0096] Meanwhile, the dust collector 600 includes a first separating unit such as a first cyclone unit 610 for separating dust from sucked air, a cover 630 coupled to an upper portion of the first cyclone unit 610, and a dust container 620 to which the cover 630 is detachably coupled.
[0097] In detail, the first cyclone unit 610 includes a first air-suction port 611 in an upper sidewall. A guide rib 616 is formed on an inner wall of the first air-suction port 611 to guide air introduced into the first cyclone unit 610 through the first air-suction port 611 approximately in a tangential direction of an inner wall of the first cyclone unit 610.
[0098] The dust container 620 includes first and second dust storages 624 and 626. The first dust storage 624 stores dust separated by the first cyclone unit 610, and the second dust storage 626 stores dust separated by the second cyclone unit 700.
[0099] The dust container 620 includes first and second walls 621 and 622. The first wall 621 forms the first dust storage 624, and the second wall 622 forms the second dust storage 626 together with the first wall 621.
[0100] That is, the second wall 622 encloses a predetermined portion of the first wall 621 to form the second dust storage 626. Therefore, the second dust storage 626 is formed at an outside of the firs dust storage 624.
[0101] The first wall 621 includes a bent portion 627 along a circumferential direction to support a bottom portion of the first cyclone unit 610 when the first cyclone unit 610 is disposed in the dust container 620. Thus, an upper portion of the first wall 621 formed above the bent portion 627 has a diameter larger than that of a lower portion of the first wall 621 formed under the bent portion 627.
[0102] Meanwhile, a groove 623 is formed in an upper edge of the dust container 620 for coupling with the first air-suction port 611 of the first cyclone unit 610. Therefore, when the fist cyclone unit 610 is inserted into the dust container 620, the first air-suction port 611 is disposed in the groove 623.
[0103] The dust container 620 has an opened top, such that dust collected in the dust container 620 can be easily removed by turning the dust container 620 upside down. The cover 630 is detachably coupled to the opened top of the dust container 620.
[0104] The cover 630 includes a dust introduction hole 631 through which dust separated by the second cyclone unit 700 is discharged to the second dust storage 626.
[0105] In addition, an anti-scattering member 614 is formed on a bottom portion of the first cyclone unit 610 as an integral part of the first cyclone unit 610 in order to prevent dust collected in the first dust storage 624 from being scattered by swirling air of the first cyclone unit 610.
[0106] The anti-scattering member 614 includes an opening 615 through which dust separated from air in the first cyclone unit 610 is discharged to the first dust storage 626.
[0107] Furthermore, it is preferable that the dust collector 600 includes a sealing member 640 for preventing leakage of air between the first cyclone unit 610 and the first wall 621.
[0108] In detail, the sealing member 640 is formed on one of the dust container 620 and the first cyclone unit 610. For example, the sealing member 640 can be formed on the bent portion 627 of the dust container 620 or a lower portion of the first cyclone unit 610.
[0109] In the current embodiment, the sealing member 640 has a circular shape running along a lower edge of the cylindrical first cyclone unit 610. The sealing member 640 is tightly attached to the bent portion 627 for hermetical sealing.
[0110] Therefore, air from a place other than the first cyclone unit 610 cannot be introduced into the first dust storage 624, and air can be swirled in the first cyclone unit 610 more effectively.
[0111] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described about canister type vacuum cleaners, the present invention can be applied to other types of vacuum cleaners such as an upright type vacuum cleaner and a robot cleaner.
[0112] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
1. A dust separator comprising:
a dust container (210;410;620) in which a dust storage (214,216;414,416;624,626) is formed;
a dust separating unit (230;430;610) contained in the dust container (210;410;620); and
a cover (250; 450; 630) coupled to the dust separating unit (230;430;610) and used to selectively open or close the dust storage (214,216;414,416;624,626),
wherein the cover is detachable from the dust container (210;410;620) together with the dust separating unit (230; 430; 610) when the dust container (210:410;620) is emptied.2. The dust separator according to claim 1, wherein the dust storage comprises a first
dust storage (214;414;624) and a second dust storage (216;416;626), and dust separated
by the dust separating unit (230;430;610) is stored in the first dust storage (214;414;524).
3. The dust separator according to claim 2, wherein the first dust storage (214;414;624)
and the second dust storage (216;416;626) are partitioned from each other.
4. The dust separator according to claim 3, further comprising a sealing member (440;640)
for sealing the dust separating unit (430;610) and the first dust storage (414;624).
5. The dust separator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the dust separating unit (430)
contained in the dust container (410) divides the dust container (410) into the first
dust storage (414) and the second dust storage (416).
6. The dust separator according to claim 5, further comprising a sealing member (440;
640) for sealing the first dust storage (414;624) and the second dust storage (416;626).
7. The dust separator according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second dust
storage (216;416;626) is formed at an outside of the first dust storage (214;414;624).
8. The dust separator according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the dust container
(410;620) comprises a bent portion (413;627) for resting the dust separating unit
(430;610) on.
9. The dust separator according to claim 8, wherein the bent portion (413;627) is rounded.
10. The dust separator according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the cover (250;450;630)
is adapted to simultaneously open or close the first and second dust storages (214,216;414,416;624,626).
11. The dust separator according to any one of claims 2 through 10, wherein the dust separating
unit comprises an anti-scattering member (240) at a lower portion for preventing scattering
of dust stored in the first dust storage (214), the anti-scattering member (240) including
an opening (242) for discharging dust separated by the dust separating unit (230).
12. The dust separator according to any one of claims 2 through 11, wherein the dust separating
unit is a first dust separating unit (230;430;610), the dust separator further comprising
a second dust separating unit (300;700) disposed outside the dust container (210;410;620)
and selectively communicating with the second dust storage (216;416;626), wherein
dust separated by the second dust separating unit (300;700) is stored in the second
dust storage (216;416;626).
13. The dust separator according to claim 12, further comprising a dust introduction hole
(631) formed in the dust container or the cover, for allowing dust separated by the
second dust separating unit (300; 700) to enter the second dust storage (216;416;626).
14. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a dust separator according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and
a main body (100;500) to which the dust container (210;410;620) of the dust separator is detachably coupled.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 14, wherein the dust separator is according
to claim 12 or 13 and the second dust separating unit (300;700) is provided in the
main body (100; 500).